Resort Thread Disney's Club Level (CL) Thread

[Lovinallthingsdisney]

Was planning on WL or Poly CL(most likely poly) for our next stay since BC CL was a bust. We wanted to stick with what we love or risk not enjoying our stay as much. Now I'm debating GF. I loved the pool and grounda on a recent visit. My kids didn't care for the lobby or main building but they aren't paying what is the main differences between RPC and Sugar Loaf besides location? If we did GF we would most likely stay Sugatloaf to do cost. For the main building price, I would rather Poly. I love Hawaii. How is it being in an outerbuilding? Is it a lot of walking? I cant tell how far the beach pool is from Sugatloaf just by looking at a map. The only restaurant we really have an interest in there is narcooses. How is fireworks viewing from the resort? Is it like poly where you have a great view? At my families request we will be eating breakfast and dinner at ohanas regardless where we stay. Another plus for poly. Thoughts?

We have stayed in both the main building and SL. The outer building (SL)is just one building away from the main building, so there really is not much more walking to get to transportation etc. The lounge itself feels much smaller in SL than RPC, but the food/drink offerings are the same. We had great service in both locations. You can view fireworks easily by going out the "back" door by the marina and Gasperilla's. You can't hear the music, but the view of the fireworks is really nice. The whole resort area is not terribly large. There is a pool quite close (right in front) to SL and the beach pool is maybe a 2 minute walk ( if that) from there.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Was planning on WL or Poly CL(most likely poly) for our next stay since BC CL was a bust. We wanted to stick with what we love or risk not enjoying our stay as much. Now I'm debating GF. I loved the pool and grounda on a recent visit. My kids didn't care for the lobby or main building but they aren't paying what is the main differences between RPC and Sugar Loaf besides location? If we did GF we would most likely stay Sugatloaf to do cost. For the main building price, I would rather Poly. I love Hawaii. How is it being in an outerbuilding? Is it a lot of walking? I cant tell how far the beach pool is from Sugatloaf just by looking at a map. The only restaurant we really have an interest in there is narcooses. How is fireworks viewing from the resort? Is it like poly where you have a great view? At my families request we will be eating breakfast and dinner at ohanas regardless where we stay. Another plus for poly. Thoughts?

Nothing is far at either resort - so not a lot of walking at all. We've stayed Sugar Loaf, RPC and Poly CL and, though, overall I prefer GF as a resort, I do prefer Poly CL over either GF CL. The CL lounge at Poly is really lovely and the view of the fireworks is great. I actually prefer Poly GV-CL over lagoon and theme park view as it's a little quieter on the GV side. You can see the fireworks from GF, but, as PP said, you have to go to the marina or boat dock. You would have to book a specific room category in RPC to even have a chance of a fireworks view from a GF CL room (we've stayed in it and it was not worth the upcharge IMHO). If I were to pick a standard room at one of the resorts, I would pick GF. I specifically wanted to do CL, I would choose Poly. I have to give a nod to WL CL as well. We just stayed WL CL in a standard view room and the staff, lounge offerings and view from our room (fireworks!) were spectacular. You do sacrifice space in a WL room vs. GF or Poly, but in terms of value for the price, WL CL was a great deal compared to the monorail resort CL's!

 

[mickeynut1]

Was planning on WL or Poly CL(most likely poly) for our next stay since BC CL was a bust. We wanted to stick with what we love or risk not enjoying our stay as much. Now I'm debating GF. I loved the pool and grounda on a recent visit. My kids didn't care for the lobby or main building but they aren't paying what is the main differences between RPC and Sugar Loaf besides location? If we did GF we would most likely stay Sugatloaf to do cost. For the main building price, I would rather Poly. I love Hawaii. How is it being in an outerbuilding? Is it a lot of walking? I cant tell how far the beach pool is from Sugatloaf just by looking at a map. The only restaurant we really have an interest in there is narcooses. How is fireworks viewing from the resort? Is it like poly where you have a great view? At my families request we will be eating breakfast and dinner at ohanas regardless where we stay. Another plus for poly. Thoughts?

Having stayed both RPC and SL, I didn't care for SL but loved RPC. As a pp said, the food offerings are the same in both, but the lounges are worlds apart. I found the SL lounge small and very chaotic (especially in the morning) with a cafeteria-like feel to it. There didn't seem to be enough seating to accommodate the number of people staying there and since the lounge is in the center of the lobby as you enter the SL building, there are no windows/views. RPC, on the other hand, is large and spacious with a relaxing atmosphere and beautiful views of the grounds. SL is convenient to the courtyard pool as it's just steps away, but the GF isn't all that spread out so nothing is really that far of a walk. With all of that said, if RPC wasn't in the budget, I'd choose a GV (or a different resort) over staying SL again (just my opinion). Good luck .

 

[Disneytam]

I was really excited for our YC stay 9/12-9/15 in club level- but with the recent posts I kept stalking the YC rooms and a GV opened up and I switched to that but added the DDP.

I just don't want to be disappointed. If I pay for CL I expect turndown automatically, lounge offerings available during specified hrs and not for them to run out, not having to wait more than a minute or two for a glass of wine, curbside greeting and dedicated check in, and hopefully some type of welcome gift and letter so it seems like me choosing to stay CL with them is important.

I mean if you don't get those things then you are paying extra for nothing.

I am going to try for POLY CL next year since it seems to be the most consistent.

You should send off an email to Guest services and tell them the same thing that you just told us. Disney needs to be told that we as a group will not continue to pay more and more for less and less, and unless we tell them they will continue to see how much they can take away for higher prices.

 

[saintrob]

We've stayed RPC in a MK view and a few times in SL. We love both but keep returning to SL. Yes, RPC is fabulous, the lounge is relaxing, great view of the lobby and the GF orchestra is wonderful to listen to. I honestly don't think it's worth the extra money - well not for us anyway. We paid for a MK view and sat on the balcony once! As others have said, SL has the same food offerings, the CMs in SL are excellent, it's yards from the main pool which is were we spend most of our day. It does get busy in the morning and early evening but we've always managed to find a table. We always have a wander over to the main building and sit in the lobby anyhow to soak up the atmosphere!

 

[vettegirl]

We check in into the YC CL after our Boulder Ridge Villas stay on the 9th and check out on the 14th. With the possibility of Hurricane Irma, does anyone know if they CL lounge will be closed if the hurricane comes through during normal hours.

 

[AngiTN]

We check in into the YC CL after our Boulder Ridge Villas stay on the 9th and check out on the 14th. With the possibility of Hurricane Irma, does anyone know if they CL lounge will be closed if the hurricane comes through during normal hours.

We were at BWI for Matthew last year but not CL. I spoke to the staff there during our recent stay about Matthew but you know, no one mentioned working so I'm not sure. I know Lorenzo specifically said he was home with his family
BWI opened up both Tratoria and Flying Fish for the day with a buffet for a flat rate, it wasn't much $15 or so. The food was actually more from Bakery and Boardwalk Pizza than from either restaurant. They put the same buffet in both restaurants you could get food and sit wherever you wanted, and take it to the room for later (which we did).
They had several different pizzas, cold cuts, breads, cookies, maybe a pasta and sauce and a soup. I forget exactly what else they had. Anyway, we ate our fill there, took 2 full boxes of more stuff up to the room for dinner later and then spent the rest of the day over in the Abracadabra Lounge, (where we made some awesome new friends).
So even if the lounge isn't open they did have a very viable option there for you. Hopefully, the brought some of what we down there up to the CL Lounge too, even if it wasn't what you'd normally have since the kitchens weren't technically open to prepare what they usually had.

 

[kpm76]

We were at BWI for Matthew last year but not CL. I spoke to the staff there during our recent stay about Matthew but you know, no one mentioned working so I'm not sure. I know Lorenzo specifically said he was home with his family
BWI opened up both Tratoria and Flying Fish for the day with a buffet for a flat rate, it wasn't much $15 or so. The food was actually more from Bakery and Boardwalk Pizza than from either restaurant. They put the same buffet in both restaurants you could get food and sit wherever you wanted, and take it to the room for later (which we did).
They had several different pizzas, cold cuts, breads, cookies, maybe a pasta and sauce and a soup. I forget exactly what else they had. Anyway, we ate our fill there, took 2 full boxes of more stuff up to the room for dinner later and then spent the rest of the day over in the Abracadabra Lounge, (where we made some awesome new friends).
So even if the lounge isn't open they did have a very viable option there for you. Hopefully, the brought some of what we down there up to the CL Lounge too, even if it wasn't what you'd normally have since the kitchens weren't technically open to prepare what they usually had.

We were at the BWI last year right after Matthew. We weathered the storm at AKL, then moved to the BWI. We were scheduled to sail on the Dream for my 40th birthday but the cruise was cancelled, so we had to add additional days at the BWI and ALL of the CMs were outstanding. They were very sensitive about the disruption it caused us (and disappointment, but what a story to tell about my big birthday!). DH and I reminded the kids that although it was not the trip we planned, it was the one we got and we were going to make the best of it. After all, it was only a vacation for us, but the CMs had property and families to worry about.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Was planning on WL or Poly CL(most likely poly) for our next stay since BC CL was a bust. We wanted to stick with what we love or risk not enjoying our stay as much. Now I'm debating GF. I loved the pool and grounda on a recent visit. My kids didn't care for the lobby or main building but they aren't paying what is the main differences between RPC and Sugar Loaf besides location? If we did GF we would most likely stay Sugatloaf to do cost. For the main building price, I would rather Poly. I love Hawaii. How is it being in an outerbuilding? Is it a lot of walking? I cant tell how far the beach pool is from Sugatloaf just by looking at a map. The only restaurant we really have an interest in there is narcooses. How is fireworks viewing from the resort? Is it like poly where you have a great view? At my families request we will be eating breakfast and dinner at ohanas regardless where we stay. Another plus for poly. Thoughts?

You've gotten some good advice above. I can elaborate further when I get home and write in more detail but just wanted to say, from reading your BC comments, I don't think I would recommend SL to you. In summary, we left there thinking we'd rather have a non-CL room at GF than stay SL again.

It has its place for a certain type/style of trip, but it wasn't all that magical for us.

 

[eastendlights]

Good news, today we did have our packages delivered to our room. When I inquired about the policy, I was told that room delivery is dependent upon staffing for each particular day. How is that for a definitive answer?

Bad news, we had no housekeeping today, even after we called and let them know we were leaving for the day and needed coffee and cups (they missed them yesterday) and extra towels. Needless to say we did not get turn down either, even though we specifically requested it.

Funny, I always leave a five dollar tip every day. Yesterday I left one with a note asking for coffee and to-go cups and extra towels and they took the tip and did not leave any of my requested items.

My daughter decided she would handle this (it is just the two of us this trip as she is starting the Disney college program next week and I came to help get her settled) so she went to complain in the lounge. The CL CM told her no more greetings (which I am aware was the case last year but then it seemed they were doing it sporadically again), no more arrival gifts, no more printed itineraries, severely reduced staffing and club level budgets.

We can really see the decline in the breakfast and dessert offerings, many times items have not been replenished halfway through the service. The food is very meager to begin with and lacking quality. I think back to the first six or seven years of our trips and the difference is really stunning.

 

[Rachel GB]

You've gotten some good advice above. I can elaborate further when I get home and write in more detail but just wanted to say, from reading your BC comments, I don't think I would recommend SL to you. In summary, we left there thinking we'd rather have a non-CL room at GF than stay SL again.

It has its place for a certain type/style of trip, but it wasn't all that magical for us.

@GADisneyDad14 , oh no, that makes me nervous! Looking forward to hearing why SL "wasn't all that magical" for your family!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

We have been at BC since Wednesday. We received a requested room change after spending one night in the very noisy rm #5699 which is adjacent to the only currently working service elevator.Not a good start to our trip as the noise was intolerable.

We were not escorted or greeted upon arrival. Even though we have stayed CL every trip we did not get a frequent guest gift. We also did not get a welcome letter or printed itinerary, absolutely nothing in our room was personalised at all, a bit of a disappointment as in the past we have received either fresh flowers, a fruit plate or some other treat upon arrival.

We also learned that in park purchases are no longer being delivered to the room and must be picked up at the club lounge or front desk after club hours. We were just at AKL in March and that was not the case there.

I hate to sound so negative but as guests that don't eat much at all in the lounge, I am wondering why I am bothering to pay so much extra to stay CL.

I am sorry about your stay. This is where I feel all CLs should have certain things uniform. Like turn down service, items delivered to room, etc. It should be a club level perk not by resort. We had most of those things at the BWI and Poly. We had a welcome card left in the room. We were given welcome chocolates at the BWI and then a welcome back card left under our door. We were not welcomed at any of them when we checked in - we had to walk up to the front desk but the Poly has a separate CL check in. We also had many purchases delivered to the room at both the BWI and the Poly and this was a few weeks ago.

This is where I would write an email. If they hear how we feel - they could consider changing.

 

[Runnsally]

Sorry to be overly concrete, but how does the room delivery work? So, I buy a banshee at Animal Kingdom, let the cashier know we're staying club level at the Poly, and the banshee magically shows up on the room that evening?

Thanks!

 

[Simba's Girl]

Good news, today we did have our packages delivered to our room. When I inquired about the policy, I was told that room delivery is dependent upon staffing for each particular day. How is that for a definitive answer?

Bad news, we had no housekeeping today, even after we called and let them know we were leaving for the day and needed coffee and cups (they missed them yesterday) and extra towels. Needless to say we did not get turn down either, even though we specifically requested it.

Funny, I always leave a five dollar tip every day. Yesterday I left one with a note asking for coffee and to-go cups and extra towels and they took the tip and did not leave any of my requested items.

My daughter decided she would handle this (it is just the two of us this trip as she is starting the Disney college program next week and I came to help get her settled) so she went to complain in the lounge. The CL CM told her no more greetings (which I am aware was the case last year but then it seemed they were doing it sporadically again), no more arrival gifts, no more printed itineraries, severely reduced staffing and club level budgets.

We can really see the decline in the breakfast and dessert offerings, many times items have not been replenished halfway through the service. The food is very meager to begin with and lacking quality. I think back to the first six or seven years of our trips and the difference is really stunning.

And this...kind of seals the deal for me. Too many reports of this nature as of late.

Our family has a reservation for a Deluxe room at BC for the Marathon in January. With all the reports of CL amenities diminishing I was seriously questioning my decision for such an expensive room. As a family of 5 with 2 teens, one tween and 3 of us participating in events that weekend we wanted the extra space. We will *save* a huge chunk of change getting 2 rooms at a mod. and get more room. We can then use that change to buy refreshments for our room-which we can open at our leisure. Will we have more space and privacy for DH and I as well as the girls. The oldest is turning 18 soon leaving no worries as far as distance from each other or connecting-as long as we are close.

 

[Maxie86]

Sorry to be overly concrete, but how does the room delivery work? So, I buy a banshee at Animal Kingdom, let the cashier know we're staying club level at the Poly, and the banshee magically shows up on the room that evening?

Thanks!

Yes but it will show up the next day not that evening. You have to fill out a form with your information...name, address, phone number, and resort with room number. You don't have to tell them you are staying CL...anyone can have purchases delivered to the resort gift shop, the CM's don't know that CL purchases are delivered to your room and will tell you to pick it up at the gift shop. That was before the latest reports of cutbacks. YMMV

 

[jods]

You've gotten some good advice above. I can elaborate further when I get home and write in more detail but just wanted to say, from reading your BC comments, I don't think I would recommend SL to you. In summary, we left there thinking we'd rather have a non-CL room at GF than stay SL again.

It has its place for a certain type/style of trip, but it wasn't all that magical for us.

Hope you're having a great trip! Without hearing more, I'm already leaning towards poly again lol. I do want to hear the rest though.

 

[jods]

Good news, today we did have our packages delivered to our room. When I inquired about the policy, I was told that room delivery is dependent upon staffing for each particular day. How is that for a definitive answer?

Bad news, we had no housekeeping today, even after we called and let them know we were leaving for the day and needed coffee and cups (they missed them yesterday) and extra towels. Needless to say we did not get turn down either, even though we specifically requested it.

Funny, I always leave a five dollar tip every day. Yesterday I left one with a note asking for coffee and to-go cups and extra towels and they took the tip and did not leave any of my requested items.

My daughter decided she would handle this (it is just the two of us this trip as she is starting the Disney college program next week and I came to help get her settled) so she went to complain in the lounge. The CL CM told her no more greetings (which I am aware was the case last year but then it seemed they were doing it sporadically again), no more arrival gifts, no more printed itineraries, severely reduced staffing and club level budgets.

We can really see the decline in the breakfast and dessert offerings, many times items have not been replenished halfway through the service. The food is very meager to begin with and lacking quality. I think back to the first six or seven years of our trips and the difference is really stunning.

We didn't get housekeeping 1 day a few weeks ago either. Ironically, it was the day after we magically had turndowm service. We did have the privacy sign up for about 45 minutes in the afternoon so I chalked it up to that.

 

[no one]

I find it interesting seeing these comments about the decrease in services for CL. I dont have nearly the amount of experience in CL as others here, our first family trip to Disney was 2016 AKL CL. We are going again this April and will be split stay BC CL, and hoping for WL CL to open up. From what I see in the comments Disney is going a different direction with CL, and is not a direction we as CL customers are looking for.
This is the CL thread so I feel comfortable stating some things that may sound "snobby" but reality is we are paying more and we want to feel special. You can see from the comments that people like being greeted at arrival, like having the itinerary in room, turn down service, etc. It is missed because we like feeling special. I know on our first trip I chose CL because I wanted to have a little extra special attention. When we went to London earlier this year we stayed at a very special boutique hotel with a suite and we were made to feel like royalty, everyone knows your name and they anticipate your needs, different treats every night at turndown. Yes it was expensive but it made our trip special and the kids will not forget it.
It seems like Disney is considering CL to just be access to the lounge and the room experience will be the same as everyone else. It will be interesting to see if this will remain being popular with CL guests. I guess an analogy would be airline lounge access for frequent fliers, nice to have access to the lounge but once you are on the plane you are the same as everyone else.
I do like the lounge access for CL, it works for us for breakfast especially. Picky eaters that need to eat fairly early in the morning. But we dont drink so the value is not as great for us as it is for others. If we dont get the WL CL it will be interesting to see how we like the entire vacation with one part CL and one part non-CL.
I joke with people when they ask me if I like to camp, and I say I am a guy who likes a mint on my pillow at night, lol. I am one that works hard and when I go on vacation like a little pampering, feel special. I think Disney may be misunderstanding what we CL guests are looking for. I could be wrong of course.
Perhaps if they want to get away from making the room experience special then maybe they would consider other things that would not cost them money. Perhaps give CL guests earlier access to FP, say 65 days, same with ADRs. Just throwing that out there, I am sure others will say that is impossible.
All I am saying is that at the end of the day Disney will need to understand we are looking for something special when we book CL, not just lounge access. Sorry for the long post from a newbie. But as a PP mentioned maybe if enough of us speak up Disney will reconsider some of the changes they have made.

 

[Disneytam]

I find it interesting seeing these comments about the decrease in services for CL. I dont have nearly the amount of experience in CL as others here, our first family trip to Disney was 2016 AKL CL. We are going again this April and will be split stay BC CL, and hoping for WL CL to open up. From what I see in the comments Disney is going a different direction with CL, and is not a direction we as CL customers are looking for.
This is the CL thread so I feel comfortable stating some things that may sound "snobby" but reality is we are paying more and we want to feel special. You can see from the comments that people like being greeted at arrival, like having the itinerary in room, turn down service, etc. It is missed because we like feeling special. I know on our first trip I chose CL because I wanted to have a little extra special attention. When we went to London earlier this year we stayed at a very special boutique hotel with a suite and we were made to feel like royalty, everyone knows your name and they anticipate your needs, different treats every night at turndown. Yes it was expensive but it made our trip special and the kids will not forget it.
It seems like Disney is considering CL to just be access to the lounge and the room experience will be the same as everyone else. It will be interesting to see if this will remain being popular with CL guests. I guess an analogy would be airline lounge access for frequent fliers, nice to have access to the lounge but once you are on the plane you are the same as everyone else.
I do like the lounge access for CL, it works for us for breakfast especially. Picky eaters that need to eat fairly early in the morning. But we dont drink so the value is not as great for us as it is for others. If we dont get the WL CL it will be interesting to see how we like the entire vacation with one part CL and one part non-CL.
I joke with people when they ask me if I like to camp, and I say I am a guy who likes a mint on my pillow at night, lol. I am one that works hard and when I go on vacation like a little pampering, feel special. I think Disney may be misunderstanding what we CL guests are looking for. I could be wrong of course.
Perhaps if they want to get away from making the room experience special then maybe they would consider other things that would not cost them money. Perhaps give CL guests earlier access to FP, say 65 days, same with ADRs. Just throwing that out there, I am sure others will say that is impossible.
All I am saying is that at the end of the day Disney will need to understand we are looking for something special when we book CL, not just lounge access. Sorry for the long post from a newbie. But as a PP mentioned maybe if enough of us speak up Disney will reconsider some of the changes they have made.

Well said and very much the way my husband an I feel. Back in the 90's we would stay at the GF RPC and just loved it because it added an extra special layer to our trip. We also had little ones so it made an ideal resort for us being so close to the MK. On our last trip there in early 2000 I was shocked when we went down to the lounge for the 5-7 pm offerings and all that was out was some cheese and crackers and wine! I asked a CM and was told they were going in a different direction with the CL and this is all that was being offered. I was livid since none of this was mentioned when I booked and we had stayed there many times! I called guest services and also sent a follow up e-mail but mostly got a brush off. It put me off so badly that I didn't return to Disney for years and to the GF until just a few years ago. The moral of the story is that enough guests complained and over the last couple of years they have really stepped up the CL and I am really concerned that they are now trying to go the other way. I love the BWI CL but the Portofino CL at Universal is also really nice and half the price.

 

[AngiTN]

Good news, today we did have our packages delivered to our room. When I inquired about the policy, I was told that room delivery is dependent upon staffing for each particular day. How is that for a definitive answer?

Bad news, we had no housekeeping today, even after we called and let them know we were leaving for the day and needed coffee and cups (they missed them yesterday) and extra towels. Needless to say we did not get turn down either, even though we specifically requested it.

Funny, I always leave a five dollar tip every day. Yesterday I left one with a note asking for coffee and to-go cups and extra towels and they took the tip and did not leave any of my requested items.

My daughter decided she would handle this (it is just the two of us this trip as she is starting the Disney college program next week and I came to help get her settled) so she went to complain in the lounge. The CL CM told her no more greetings (which I am aware was the case last year but then it seemed they were doing it sporadically again), no more arrival gifts, no more printed itineraries, severely reduced staffing and club level budgets.

We can really see the decline in the breakfast and dessert offerings, many times items have not been replenished halfway through the service. The food is very meager to begin with and lacking quality. I think back to the first six or seven years of our trips and the difference is really stunning.

Really sounds like BC CL is in the worse shape of them all. We stayed over there last year and didn't care for it then but that's mostly BC in general, not just CL at BC. BWI is about as polar opposite of that as you can be.
Though I can't comment on delivery to the room, we never use that service. No idea if they bring it or not but knowing they had at least 4 CM around the floor every time we were there I am sure they did not have any staffing shortages up there.
There was no one greeting downstairs but at BWI you don't need it as like AKL, the CL floor is not dedicated to CL guests only so no problems accessing the floor on the elevator.
We had an arrival gift. I didn't need a printed itinerary so not sure if they did them or not. Personally, that's one thing I think they can do upon request. With MDE, just how many would want that anyway? Save the tree as far as I'm concerned.
We also received a very lovely post card from the resort, hand delivered by someone from Housekeeping, a supervisor I assume by the way she was dressed, acknowledging us as return guests. And the day we ate at Flying Fish I had another card delivered to the room from the restaurant welcoming us to our dinner that night.

They had more than enough food at every serving and never ran out of anything.

So I'm wondering if something is up at BC with their budget because I just don't think it's property wide.